Straight from the Farm

I feel a certain sense of satisfaction, as a newbie blogger, to be launching my food blog with a recipe for baby bok choy.  We young’uns need to stick together after all.  And to compliment the “new beginnings” theme, I’ve kept this recipe simple so any newbie cooks can join in the fun too.  So, let’s get acquainted and dry off behind our ears with Grilled Baby Bok Choy, freshly harvested from Weavers Way Farm in E. Mt. Airy.   

Never heard of grilled baby bok choy? Heck, never even heard of baby bok choy itself? Let me tell you, this is a truly unique inaugural dish for this year’s grilling season. Weather you have a tiny dusty charcoal Weber like myself or a granddaddy of a gas grill, you’ll wish baby bok choy was in season all summer to accompany your grilled fish, asparagus or sweet corn.

When buying baby bok choy, look for full dark green leaves and light green tight bottoms. The co-op’s currently selling them by the pound.   Please feel free to leave comments below.  I’m eager to hear how you like to make your bok choy and if this recipe proves tasty for you too. 

Let’s begin.

Grilled Baby Bok Choy
4 heads of baby bok choy
2 T.  fresh squeezed lemon or orange juice
2/3 c. extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (not minced)
2 T. fresh herbs of your choosing, such as dill or sage, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
1 T. balsamic vinegar or low-sodium soy sauce
Handful of pine nuts or chopped walnuts
Romano cheese, grated

Slice heads of baby bok choy in half length-wise (leaves to stem). Soak in cool water for 10 mins to perk them up and remove any grit hidden inside. While heads soak, heat olive oil in small frying pan. Add thinly sliced garlic and stir until just golden brown (about 1 min). With a slotted spoon, remove garlic and take pan off heat.

Take baby bok choy out of water and gently shake/pat dry. Slice off dark green leaves from the lighter heads. Coarsely chop leaves and set to the side. Brush both sides of heads with garlic-infused oil. Place with cut side up and sprinkle with lemon/orange juice, salt and pepper and herbs.

Place seasoned heads on pre-heated grill with cut side down. Cover grill for 5 to 8 mins. Remove cover and turn heads over. There should be a nice golden color starting to appear. Drizzle balsamic vinegar or soy sauce over cut sides of heads. Cover again for 5 mins.* Remove cover and turn heads one last time back to the cut side. Remove from grill when fork-tender.

*At this point, head to the stove and heat up the remaining oil in the small fry pan. When hot, add pine nuts or walnuts and toast slightly for a minute or two. Add chopped baby bok choy leaves and salt and pepper. Stir constantly until wilted, but still very green (2 mins+). Remove from heat and toss in fresh herbs if desired.  

To plate up, put heads on plate and top with leaves, nuts and a sprinkle of cheese. Add more balsamic vinegar or soy sauce if desired. 

(serves 2 as a side dish)

Experience farm freshness for yourself!

Visit the farm:  1000 E. Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA

Directions from the Co-op:
Leaving from the Weavers Way Co-op, drive down Green Street, cross Lincoln Drive and continue until Washington Lane. Turn left on Washington Lane. Drive about a mile. After crossing Chew (and before reaching Ardleigh Street), look on your left for a private drive with a small white sign that says Weavers Way Coop Farm. Turn left into the drive, then take another quick left onto a gravel road that winds back to the farm.

Directions from Center City:
Take I-76 West to the Lincoln Drive exit.  At the bottom of the ramp, follow signs for Lincoln Drive.  At the 3rd traffic light on Lincoln Drive, turn right onto Johnson Street.  Follow Johnson Street to Chew Street (8th traffic light) and turn right.  Turn left at the next traffic light onto Washington Lane.  Farm enterance is on the left, half way up the “block”.  Once in the driveway, follow the small signs/gravel road bearing to the left to wind back to the farm.

By Train:
Take SEPTA’s R7 Line to the Washington Lane Station.  Once off the train, walk down the station driveway to the street.  Cross to the other side of the street and walk towards the green grassy area.  When you see the sign for Awbury Arboretum, take the shortcut up the grassy hill and the farm is at the top. 

For a map to the farm, click here.

We have a lot of passion at the farm for promoting environmental initiatives within Philadelphia city limits and across the nation in other cities.  Every visitor to the farm leaves a little more educated and inspired by what can accomplished on just a mere acre or two.  Come find out what urban farming is all about!